The giant banner bearing John Paul's portrait is unveiled over the facade of St Peter's basilica during the ceremony of beatification for late pope John Paul II on May 1, 2011 at St Peter's square at The Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI declared John Paul II "blessed" at a mass in Saint Peter's Square in front of more than a million people on Sunday, putting his late predecessor on the path to sainthood. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI